A young adult was hit in the temporal area with a baseball bat and is being monitored for signs of a closed head injury. Which finding indicates a developing epidural hematoma?
- A. Nausea and vomiting.
- B. Altered consciousness within the first 24 hours after injury.
- C. Severe headache and blurred vision.
- D. Loss of motor function on the affected side.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Altered consciousness within the first 24 hours after a temporal injury is a classic sign of epidural hematoma, which is a neurosurgical emergency. This finding occurs due to the rapid expansion of the hematoma, causing compression of the brain. Nausea and vomiting (choice A) are more commonly associated with other types of head injuries, such as concussion. Severe headache and blurred vision (choice C) are symptoms seen in various head injuries but are not specific to epidural hematomas. Loss of motor function on the affected side (choice D) is more indicative of a different type of head injury, such as a contusion or intracerebral hematoma.
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A client reports dizziness when standing up quickly. What advice should the nurse give?
- A. Encourage the client to drink more fluids.
- B. Change positions slowly to prevent dizziness.
- C. Report the symptom to the healthcare provider immediately.
- D. Limit physical activity to avoid triggering dizziness.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct advice for a client experiencing dizziness when standing up quickly is to change positions slowly to prevent dizziness. This symptom is suggestive of postural hypotension, where a sudden change in position can lead to a drop in blood pressure, causing dizziness. Encouraging the client to drink more fluids (Choice A) may be beneficial for other conditions but is not directly related to the prevention of dizziness in this case. Reporting the symptom to the healthcare provider immediately (Choice C) is important if the dizziness is persistent or severe, but the immediate action to prevent it is to change positions slowly. Limiting physical activity (Choice D) may not necessarily address the underlying cause of dizziness in this context.
A client with a history of chronic kidney disease presents with increased swelling and shortness of breath. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Administer oxygen at 2 liters per nasal cannula.
- B. Administer a diuretic as prescribed.
- C. Monitor the client's vital signs.
- D. Reposition the client to improve lung expansion.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to administer a diuretic as prescribed. In a client with chronic kidney disease experiencing increased swelling and shortness of breath, the priority action is to address fluid retention. Administering a diuretic helps reduce fluid overload, alleviate symptoms, and prevent complications associated with fluid buildup. Option A is not the priority in this situation as addressing fluid retention takes precedence over providing oxygen. While monitoring vital signs is important, it is secondary to addressing the underlying cause of symptoms. Repositioning the client may help with comfort but does not directly address the fluid overload seen in chronic kidney disease.
An adult client with a broken femur reports muscle spasms. What action should the nurse implement while awaiting surgery?
- A. Check the client's most recent electrolyte levels.
- B. Administer a PRN dose of muscle relaxant.
- C. Reduce the weight on the traction device.
- D. Encourage oral fluid intake to relieve muscle tension.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to implement while awaiting surgery for a client with muscle spasms due to a broken femur is to encourage oral fluid intake to relieve muscle tension. Dehydration can exacerbate muscle spasms, so increasing fluid intake can help alleviate them. Checking electrolyte levels may not directly address muscle spasms in this situation. Administering a muscle relaxant should be based on a healthcare provider's prescription, and traction weight adjustments should only be made by the provider overseeing the client's care.
A client recovering from a stroke is demonstrating slurred speech. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Consult the healthcare provider to order speech therapy.
- B. Administer a dose of aspirin to prevent further neurological damage.
- C. Encourage the client to use communication aids, such as writing.
- D. Encourage the client to eat soft foods to avoid choking.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct action for a client recovering from a stroke demonstrating slurred speech is to encourage the client to use communication aids, such as writing. This intervention can help the client effectively communicate while working on regaining speech abilities. Consulting the healthcare provider to order speech therapy (choice A) is a valid option, but immediate encouragement of using communication aids is beneficial. Administering aspirin (choice B) without healthcare provider orders is not recommended. Encouraging the client to eat soft foods (choice D) is important for preventing aspiration but doesn't directly address the communication issue.
While providing home care to a client with congestive heart failure, the nurse is asked how long diuretics must be taken. What is the nurse¢â‚¬â„¢s best response?
- A. As you urinate more, you will need less medication to control fluid.
- B. You will have to take this medication for about a year.
- C. The medication must be continued so the fluid problem is controlled.
- D. Please talk to your health care provider about medications and treatments.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Diuretics must be continued as long as the fluid problem persists to prevent heart failure symptoms.